The Opposition United Workers Party has once again been denied approval to hold a march and public meeting in the capital. The meeting was supposed to take place in Roseau on Tuesday 27th April from 4:30 p.m. The party was informed that the permission was not granted in the interest of national security and for public safety reasons. However, the leadership of the party was advised to seek an alternative venue for the meeting.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet presented his first ever budget since winning the general elections last June. The Prime Minister says that the budget is clearly not enough but it is the best that his Administration can offer at this time. According to him, the first priority over the next three years is to grow the economy of the country.

Outspoken Minister of Agriculture Dr. David Estwick has sent stern words to his own government regarding their economic action plan which is currently being considered by the Freundel Stuart Administration. The plan which intends to deal with the country’s fiscal deficit does not consider the Minister’s US$5 billion UAE funded plan. He says he will say no more to his colleagues and will allow them to learn the hard way.

The Government and the master developer of the controversial “Pearl of the Caribbean” Desert Star Holdings Caribbean Limited want to assure the public of their commitment to preserve Maria Islands, which consist of the second phase of the project. There has been much concern regarding a causeway to the Islands which have endemic species.

The withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships (CBRs) are affecting many countries, in particular those of the OECS. The IMF has indicated that financial fragilities brought about by the withdrawal of those CBRs could affect the growth of those countries. The latter was a major issue at the last CARICOM summit and the Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is spearheading the region’s response, says the region must work as a unit to address that threat to its survival.

On Monday, outgoing President, François Hollande made it clear that a vote for far-right leader Marine Le Pen is a “risk” for France and thereby urged the French citizenry to vote for his former Economy Minister, centrist Emmanuel Macron. Macron and Le Pen are going head-to-head in the second round of presidential elections to take place in less than two weeks. Polls are indicating that Macron will take 61 per cent of the votes.

The OECS Commission, in partnership with the French Embassy, is hosting a seminar entitled “Passport for French Higher Education” which will take place at the Alliance, Française on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th April 2017. Education authorities of the region will be exposed to the many education opportunities available in neighboring French territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe.